After coming out the other side of one of life’s many storms, I’m often reminded of this simple, beautiful quote from Zimbabwean philosopher Matshona Dhliwayo:
“The storm is an artist; the rainbow is its masterpiece.”
There’s something about rainbows; no matter how many times we see them, we never cease to stop and admire their quiet splendor whenever and wherever they appear.
A primary reason for our “rainbow wonder” is, of course, that rainbows are spectacular to behold. I mean, it isn’t everyday you see a meteorological phenomenon that manifests in a marvelous, multicolored arc above your head. But apart from this obvious reason for our oohing and aahing is the fact that, perhaps on a subconscious level, we know that rainbows possess another praiseworthy quality, albeit a quality that our eyes cannot see but only the soul can perceive. And that is the silent strength and the peaceful power that was not present before the storm, yet suddenly defines the sky and shines through a dazzling spectrum.
Throughout ancient mythology, rainbows are ubiquitous. According to the Norse religion, the Bifröst was a burning rainbow bridge that reached from Midgard (Earth) to Asgard, the realm of the gods. To the ancient Greeks, the goddess Iris embodied the rainbow and served as messenger between gods and men. In Navajo tradition, there exists a romantic tale of a pair of personified rainbows who joined in perfect union before freezing in time and forming the Rainbow Bridge which you can see in Lake Powell, Utah. And Māori mythology tells of the moon, Hina, commanding a rainbow to span the heavens and dip toward Earth so that her mortal husband could return to Earth to die.
You’re probably familiar with the biblical account of the rainbow’s debut on the world’s stage. After the mother of all floods consumed the rebellious planet, God made this promise:
“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” (Genesis 9:13-16).
Each of the aforementioned myths, along with many more, associate rainbows with two things: the supernatural, and a connection to it. The colorful arches are a visual reminder that beauty is a gift with divine origins, that storms bring blessing in their wake, and that the Creator continues to communicate through his million and one mouthpieces scattered throughout nature, some as dazzlingly grand as a meteor shower, others as mind-blowingly small as DNA under a microscope.
A shooting star.
An ocean’s roar.
A vibrant rainbow, autumn leaves, and rolling fields blanketed with snow.
One cannot number the ways in which the Lord stoops down, brings his lips close to our ears, and as a loving father gently whispers, “This, see this? It’s a gift for you – enjoy it!”
Every time I see a rainbow, I thank God for the gift of his eternal promises, promises such as:
- Eternal life for those who believe in his son Jesus Christ and accept him as their Lord and Savior (1 John 2:25)
- God is greater than the prince of this world, a.k.a. Satan (1 John 4:4)
- Forgiveness for all of our sins (1 John 1:9)
- The Holy Spirit is given to all believers to help us bear good fruit (Luke 11:13)
- The Holy Spirit guides us and shows us truth (John 16:13)
- God meets our needs one way or another (Matthew 6:31-34)
- God doesn’t hold back anything that is for our benefit or our good (Psalm 84:11)
- God gives us wisdom if we ask for it (James 1:5)
- We can have peace, no matter what (Isaiah 26:3)
- God helps us have victory over temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13)
- The enemy (Satan) flees when we resist him and submit to God (James 4:7-10)
- Jesus Christ is coming again to take us to our true home (John 14:2-3)
- There is coming an end to death, sorrow, and pain, and every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4)
- And 365 times throughout the Bible, we’re told not to fear, because God’s perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18)
As I type this, my husband and Ben and I are going through a storm I plan to devote a blog to soon. The skies are dark. The clouds are churning. The thunder and rain are deafening, incessant, sinister, and tempt us to run, hide, and pin our faith to a flag of surrender.
But…
But…
What a wonderful word is “but”!
But, there is a rainbow awaiting us at the end of this storm, just as there’s one waiting for you at the end of yours. The rainbow is a reminder…
Of God’s unfailing faithfulness.
Of his promises and plans to cause all things to work together for our good.[1]
Of his intimate knowledge of us and every facet of our lives.
Of his unfathomable love for us, written boldly in the brilliance of the rainbow’s bands.
I don’t know the storm you’re facing, how fearsome it is or how long it’s lasted, but no matter its magnitude, I encourage you to take your focus off of it. Just for a moment. Just long enough to look for the ghost of a rainbow hanging on the horizon, waiting patiently for the sun to return so it can stretch victoriously across the sky, dropping blessing, strength, and assurance from its seven God-painted ribbons.
When we remember there’s a rainbow, the storm miraculously shrinks, not because the rains have subsided or the winds have ceased, but because we have risen above it. Or rather, we have been lifted above it, by the One whom storms obey.
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.” – Isaiah 41:30
“Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.” – Mark 4:39
[1] Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11; Genesis 50:20